Fae Jacobs Named Outstanding Volunteer in 2015

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized more than 450 outstanding volunteers and teams, nominated by their local society or genealogical organization for their service and dedication. These volunteers are the backbone of their local society, giving their time and expertise, to the organization and the field of genealogy. In the coming months, you will be introduced to each of the 2015 award recipients and learn why they received the 2015 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Fae Douglas Jacobs

Fae Douglas Jacobs

Today we’re introducing Fae Douglas Jacobs of Hoquiam, Washington, who was nominated by the Grays Harbor Genealogical Society (GHGS). She was recognized for her dependable, committed volunteer efforts.

Ms. Jacobs has been a member of the GHGS since June 2008. She is an enthusiastic supporter of the society, having served in positions of trustee, library chair board member, refreshment chair and co-chair of the obituary committee. She is currently serving her second term as the society’s secretary.

Ms. Jacobs promptly and accurately fulfills her job responsibilities such as record keeping and reports. She enjoys sharing her knowledge with members and the public, volunteering 10-12 hours per month at the society’s research library and participating bi-annually in their “Genealogy Café” held in several Grays Harbor County communities in connection with the Timberland Regional Library system.

Ms. Jacobs is a valued and hard-working member of the GHGS and richly deserved being a recipient of a 2015 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Roxanne Lowe, Recognition Chair, at Roxanne@thekeeffes.com.

Writing an Obituary Worth Reading — Grays Harbor GS

Logo_New_edited-1How would you like to be remembered? What’s important to you? Writing an obituary means you’re writing about what is most important in your life . . . not about death. Obituaries are a last (and lasting) chance to share with others about your life, accomplishments and family.

You’re invited to the next Grays Harbor Genealogical Society meeting to hear Olympia-area author Martin Kimeldorf talk about his new book “Writing An Obituary Worth Reading, a Guide to Writing a Fulfilling Life-Review.” In addition to talking about changing attitudes toward life and death that affect obituary writing, Mr. Kimeldorf will also share both humorous and serious obituaries. He’ll also answer questions, share writing tips, and autograph his book.

Join us on Saturday, March 12, 2016, 10:00 a.m. at the Hoquiam Timberland library (upstairs meeting room), 420 7th St, Hoquiam. No reservations needed.

For more information, email Info@GraysHarborGenealogy.com.

Bob Edwards Named Outstanding Volunteer in 2015

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized more than 450 outstanding volunteers and teams, nominated by their local society or genealogical organization for their service and dedication. These volunteers are the backbone of their local society, giving their time and expertise, to the organization and the field of genealogy. In the coming months, you will be introduced to each of the 2015 award recipients and learn why they received the 2015 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing Robert “Bob” Edwards of Manchester, Washington, who was nominated by the Grays Harbor Genealogical Society (GHGS). He was recognized for his dependability and “sure, we can” attitude.

Robert "Bob" Edwards

Robert “Bob” Edwards

Although a member of the GHGS for only three years, Mr. Edwards has already made an impact, serving his second term as a trustee in 2015. He joined the society because of his familial ties to the area, even though he lives more than 90 miles away. Besides attending monthly society meetings, Mr. Edwards makes the 90+-mile journey at least twice a month to work at the society’s research library. His dedication to the library is greatly appreciated by members and the public.

When the society sponsors workshops or other events that require setting up and tearing down, Mr. Edwards is always there to lend a hand.

Mr. Edwards’ experiences and willingness to volunteer and participate in society meetings make him an important asset to the society. For those reasons, he richly deserved being a recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Roxanne Lowe, Recognition Chair, at Roxanne@thekeeffes.com.

State Archives’ Southwest Regional Property Search Challenge…Answered!

MurphyHouse

Patrick Murphy home, Montesano, Washington, circa 1914. Used by permission of the Murphy Family Archives.

In the May 2015 edition of Out of the Archives, Maggie Cogswell, Washington State Archives Assistant Research Archivist in the Southwest Regional Branch,  offered to assist with challenging property research within the Southwest Region of the state (Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Skamania, Thurston, and Wahkiakum counties). Maggie received a letter from Roxanne Lowe* interested in learning more about her family’s property in Grays Harbor County (pictured here). Always up for a challenge, Maggie started this project in earnest, learning more about the Murphy family from Montesano than she knows about her own!

Follow Maggie’s journey here, and learn about how she used the records in the Washington State Archives to begin a quest to uncover as much information as she could for her researcher. You may just get inspired to research your property! 

 If you’d like to know more about your home, contact the regional branch that serves your county. Or–Ask An Archivist!” and they’ll help you get started.

*Roxanne Lowe is a member of the Grays Harbor Genealogical Society, WSGS Recognition Chair and a member of the WSGS Blog Team.

 

Marlene Payne Honored as Outstanding Volunteer in 2014

Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized more than 400 outstanding volunteers, nominated by their local society or genealogical organization for their service and dedication. These volunteers are the backbone of their local society, giving their time and expertise, to the organization and the field of genealogy. In the coming months, you will be introduced to each of the 2014 award recipients and learn why they received the 2014 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Today we’re introducing Marlene Whiteman Payne of Elma, Washington, who was nominated by the Grays Harbor Genealogical Society (GHGS). She was recognized for her dedication in identifying and preserving historical documents of importance and value related to families and locations in Grays Harbor County, Washington.

Marlene Payne

Marlene Payne

Ms. Payne has been tireless in her efforts to collect Grays Harbor records, generously donating her research and documents to the Grays Harbor Genealogical Society’s research library. To date, the GHGS library holds more than 200 volumes of records, donated by Ms. Payne, including funeral records, cemetery records, birth and death certificates, especially focused on East Grays Harbor County.

Ms. Payne is the GHGS’s behind-the-scenes archivist. For all she researched, preserved and donated, she richly deserved being a recipient of a WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Roxanne Lowe, Recognition Chair, at Roxanne@thekeeffes.com.